Expectations in the Workplace

This week’s blog topic concerns the differences in expectations on workers in Brussels and the United States. I would say that the expectations are similar in terms of work ethic. Both American and European workers are expected to be efficient at their job. Precise and speedy work is a huge asset and will definitely leave a good impression on any workplace. I have found that this includes all kinds of work as well. 

From food service to office settings, there is always a social culture that I have found in all of my previous workplaces. The social expectations in Brussels are slightly different than those in the U.S.. In all of my previous workspace, there is the expectation that we all get along. Of course this is the expectation, as no good work can be done if the team is consistently at each other's throats. But the difference in Brussels and the United States lies in how they expect you to get along. In the U.S. I have experienced a strategy of keeping the peace. Some workplaces are full of people with the same political and social opinions, and in those situations if you disagree it is best that you keep it to yourself. Others outright say in their employee manual to avoid any conversation topics that might be controversial, such as politics and religion. In Brussels I did not find that to be the same strategy. It was perfectly fine to discuss politics and religion in the workplace. The culture was that you could respectfully discuss controversial topics without getting personally offended. In my office in Brussels, we were able to discuss religion, racism, healthcare, and many other topics that would be seen as taboo in the U.S.. We were able to disagree respectfully and without any interpersonal tension, which led to a healthy working environment. I think this expectation of respect toward differences is a much healthier way to deal with coworker relationships. In the U.S. the sort gag-rule that applies to deep personal topics can create tensions and outgroups in the workplace which is not ideal. 

Truthfully those are the most stark differences in expectation between Brussels and the U.S.. The social expectations were small but they made a huge difference in the function of everyday life.